Opera Theatre of the Rockies is excited to announce their 16th Season – “A Season of Exotic Splendor” featuring two full-scale productions that will transport audiences to mystical lands of passion, romance and drama. The season will also include the expanded 2014 Vocal Arts Festival.
Celebrating its 13th season, the Ensemble of the Romantic Century (ERC) presents Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart at The Fishman Space in the new BAM Fisher. A fully staged theatrical concert blending striking music, powerful language and biography, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart delves into the unconventional 16-year long relationship between one of the great composers of the 19th century and his patroness, Madame von Meck. Written by Eve Wolf and directed by Donald T. Sanders, this evening-length production seamlessly interweaves a dramatic script performed by actor Simon Fortin (Tchaikovsky) and actress Ariel Bock (Madame von Meck) of Shakespeare & Company with live chamber and vocal music performed by violinist Rachel Lee Priday, cellist Adrian Daurov, pianist Eve Wolf and tenor Blake Friedman. Featuring some of Tchaikovsky's epic pieces including Piano Trio in A Minor, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart represents some of the composer's balletic works through dance both choreographed and performed by American Ballet Theatre dancer Daniel Mantei.
David B. Devan, General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia, today announced the commissioning of a new opera based on the life of legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker (1920-1955), one of the most influential soloists in the history of jazz and a central figure in the development of bebop. American tenor Lawrence Brownlee will star as Parker in a work written for him by composer Daniel Schnyder, with a libretto by poet and playwright Bridgette A. Wimberly. Soprano Angela Brownwill costar as Charlie's mother, Addie Parker. The opera is being developed in partnership with Gotham Chamber Opera.
On February 18, Sony Classical (USA) will release Arabesque, soprano Olga Peretyatko's second album on the label. Her new CD coincides with a 2013-14 season that not only showcases the young star in important European debuts—including Berlin and Milan—it also offers an opportunity to hear her eagerly anticipated Metropolitan Opera debut when she returns to New York in the spring. Olga Peretyatko's MET debut in I Puritani this coming April follows her acclaimed 2011 BAM appearances in Robert Lepage's production of The Nightingale, which the Financial Times cited as soaring “with effortless charm as the coloratura Nightingale.” Bloomberg News noted that she was “greeted with a thunderous ovation,” and The New York Times called her “sweet-voiced and technically agile.” Ms Peretyatko possesses a dazzling technique, a touching sensibility, a vocal richness, and a strong personality that the new recording highlights brilliantly.
French soprano Natalie Dessay makes her highly anticipated New York recital debut onWednesday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m. at Carnegie Hall in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, joined by pianist and frequent collaborator Philippe Cassard. Ms. Dessay and Mr. Cassard recently released an acclaimed recording of Debussy's works in 2012 (Virgin Classics), two of which are featured in this program—“Apparition,” and 'La romance d'Ariel.' The program also features German works by Brahms, Clara Schumann, and Richard Strauss, and French works by Duparc, Poulenc, and Fauré. Full program information is below.
There was a lovefest for the great mezzo Marilyn Horne in New York last week, filled with the music of friends, acquaintances and admirers at Carnegie Hall's sibling, Zankel Hall.
General Director Plácido Domingo announced LA Opera's 2014/15 season, created in collaboration with Music Director James Conlon and President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. The upcoming season will include six mainstage productions, with 41 performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Additional performances will take place in other venues through an expansion of the Company's Off Grand initiative. The season will open on September 13, 2014, and will run through June 14, 2015.
General Director Plácido Domingo announced LA Opera's 2014/15 season, created in collaboration with Music Director James Conlon and President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. The upcoming season will include six mainstage productions, with 41 performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Additional performances will take place in other venues through an expansion of the Company's Off Grand initiative. The season will open on September 13, 2014, and will run through June 14, 2015.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong present Leonard Bernstein's On the Town on January 31-February 1, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts with soprano Georgia Jarman. The program features Bernstein's Three Dance Episodes from On the Town and On the Waterfront Symphonic Suite, Foss's Time Cycle, and Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Opus 24.
The Incubator Arts Project presents its fifth annual Other Forces, a festival of work from some of independent theater's most innovative artists. Other Forces will run today, January 9 - 26, 2014.
Verdi's Nabucco, which opens on January 25, 2014 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, has been credited with launching the famous composer's career. Last presented by Florida Grand Opera in 1981, it is set against the backdrop of the Israelites' plight in the face of Babylonian domination. Nabucco's biblical themes are intertwined with a passionate love story, political turmoil, and a compelling musical score.
Minnesota Opera has published its first annual report in video for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. To watch the video, which highlights the company's 2012-2013 season, visit mnop.co/annual-report.
(Los Angeles) December 19, 2013 — General Director Plácido Domingo announced updated details for LA Opera's first production of Lucia di Lammermoor since 2003. Conducted by Music Director James Conlon and directed by Elkhana Pulitzer in her LA Opera debut, the new production stars Albina Shagimuratova in the title role as the dagger-wielding Scottish lass and Saimir Pirgu as her secret lover, Edgardo. Lucia di Lammermoor will open on Saturday, March 15, 2014, and run for a total of six performances through April 6 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Anna Netrebko will reprise her portrayal of Adina, the irresistible heroine of Donizetti's comic romance L'Elisir d'Amore, for seven performances beginning January 9. Ramón Vargas sings the role of Nemorino, the peasant who loves her, in a cast that also includes Nicola Alaimo in his first Met performances as Belcore and Erwin Schrott as the questionably credentialed Doctor Dulcamara. Maurizio Benini, who led the premiere of Bartlett Sher's production on opening night of the Met's 2012-13 season, returns to conduct the bel canto favorite. Check out a sneak peek below!
San Leandro, CA - Curtain Call Performing Arts (CCPA) is proud to announce opera troupe Opera On Tap: San Francisco (OOT:SF) has taken residency following a sold-out run of Mozart's Figaro last summer. The San Francisco chapter of OOT will perform two opera's in downtown San Leandro as part of Curtain Call's 5th anniversary season. The first production is Giocomo Rossini's Cinderella themed opera, La Cenerentolawith five performances scheduled Friday through Sunday, today, December 13-15. La Cenerentola will be presented as an abridged one-act matinée for children on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 PM, and in its uncut entirety on Friday, Saturday, and SundayDecember 13-15 at 8:00 PM. All performances will be held at the California Conservatory Theatre (CCT), 999 E. 14th St., San Leandro.
It's a family tradition to gather and enjoy the songs of the season with your A2SO including excerpts from Tchaikovsky's ever popular The Nutcracker, Anderson's Sleigh Ride, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus and more holiday favorites. Special guests Measure for Measure and Skyline High School's Bel Canto and A Cappella Choruses will delight your family with beautiful choral music of the season. Santa's elves will be meeting you in the lobby with candy canes, while Santa himself will take a moment from his global logistic planning to welcome you to the concert. Revel in the good music-making and merriment of this festive concert – the perfect way to welcome in your holiday season.
The Incubator Arts Project presents its fifth annual Other Forces, a festival of work from some of independent theater's most innovative artists. Other Forces will run January 9 - 26, 2014.
Los AngeLes Children's Chorus, acclaimed for its pure, agile, Bel Canto sound that has made it one of the most in-demand children's choirs in the county, spotlights the music of Benjamin Britten and the English choral tradition and also performs a compelling array of music from around the globe at its popular annual Winter Concert tonight, December 7, 7 PM, and Sunday, December 8, 2013, 7:30 PM, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.